Carbon fiber reinforced poly ether ether ketone (CF/PEEK) composite possesses excellent biocompatible, biomechanical and bioribological properties. It is one of the most promising implant materials for artificial joint. Many factors influence the bioribological properties of CF/PEEK composites. In this paper, the authors reviewed on the biotribology research progress of CF/PEEK composites. The influences of various factors such as lubricant, reinforcement surface modification, functional particles, friction counterpart and friction motion modes on the bio-tribological properties of CF/PEEK composites are discussed. Based on the recent research, the authors suggest that the further research should be focused on the synergistic effect of multiple factors on the wear and lubrication mechanism of CF/PEEK.
Biocompatible Materials ; Carbon ; Friction ; Ketones ; Lubrication ; Materials Testing ; Polyethylene Glycols

Articular cartilage damage is very common in clinical practices. Due to the low self healing abilities of articular cartilage, it must be repaired or substituted by implants once natural articular cartilage is damaged. On the other hand, the various technologies currently used for healing damaged articular cartilage are little satisfactory, and rarely restore full function or return the tissue to its natively normal state. Tissue engineering technology holds great promise for the healing of damage or defects of articular cartilage. Tissue engineered articular cartilage is one of the most promising methods for repairing articular cartilage trauma and defects. In this paper, the authors review the research progress of three elements such as seed cells, growth factors and scaffolds which constitute tissue engineered articular cartilage.
Animals ; Cartilage, Articular ; injuries ; surgery ; Chondrocytes ; transplantation ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Tissue Scaffolds

The bio-tribological properties of an artificial joint can be obviously improved by surface modification technologies. In this paper, the benefits and disadvantages of various surface modification methods-such as surface coating, plasma treatment, surface texture and surface grafting modification-are discussed. The aim of surface coating and/or plasma treatment is to improve the surface hardness of the materials, thus enhancing the wear resistance of artificial joints. However, these technologies do not effectively alleviate stress concentration of material in the short times in which artificial joints bear physiological impact load, resulting in easy fracture. Surface texture serves mainly to improve the lubrication properties through micro-concavities on the material surface for storage lubricant. Surface texturing can realize improvements in bio-tribological properties, but it does not enhance the impact resistance of the joint. Surface grafting modification is implemented mainly by grafting hydrophilic or other specific functional groups to improve the surface hydrophilicity and wetability, thus enhancing lubricating performance and reducing the coefficient of friction.
Arthroplasty, Replacement ; instrumentation ; Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Humans ; Joint Prosthesis ; Lubrication ; Polyethylenes ; Prosthesis Failure ; Stress, Mechanical ; Surface Properties ; Weight-Bearing ; physiology

Objective To evaluate the dynamic efficacy of Invigorating Qi and Dissipating Depression Herbs in the treatment of depressive disorders and its effect on recurrence rate and suicidal thoughts.Methods The prospective cohort study was used to divide the patients into three cohorts according to the different exposure factors(treatment regimens):Western medicine group,integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine group,and Invigorating Qi and Dissipating Depression Herbs group,and followed up for 2 years,and the treatment effects of each cohort at half a year,one year,one and a half years,and two years were observed respectively,and the evaluation indicators were Montgomery Depression Scale(MADRS),Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA)and Social Deficit Screening Scale(SDSS)reduction rates,and endpoint events(relapse,suicidal ideation)incidence;By comparing the efficacy and endpoint event rate of the three cohorts,the effect of Invigorating Qi and Dissipating Depression Herbs on improving depressive disorders was evaluated.Results A total of 409 patients(67 in the Western medicine group,131 in the integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine group,and 211 cases in the Invigorating Qi and Dissipating Depression Herbs group)were enrolled,and the rate of score reduction after treatment with MADRS,HAMA and SDSS increased compared with the pre-treatment treatment with the extension of the drug taking time.The difference between the MADRS and SDSS reduction rates in the Invigorating Qi and Dissipating Depression Herbs group on taking the drug for half a year and the SDSS reduction rate on one year of taking the drug were statistically significant compared with the Western medicine group,and there was no significant difference compared with the integrated Chinese and Western medicine group.On one and a half years and two years of medication,the integrated Chinese and Western medicine group had more advantages in MADRS reduction rate than the Invigorating Qi and Dissipating Depression Herbs group.The recurrence rates of depression in the three groups within 2 years were 20.9％,30.5％and 36.0％,and the difference was not statistically significant,and the length of taking medication was used as a protective factor by logistic regression analysis.The incidence rates of suicidal thoughts were 44.8％,19.1％and 17.5％,and the differences were statistically significant,and the exposure factors and income level were the protective factors by logistic regression analysis.Conclusion Invigorating Qi and Dissipating Depression Herbs can significantly improve the depressive state of patients,promote the recovery of social function,reduce the occurrence of long-term suicidal ideation,and appropriately extend the time of taking medicine can increase the long-term efficacy and reduce recurrence.